The structure of the Independent Reformed Catholic Church is simple but at the same time diversified and seemingly complex. We are a small segment within the Body of Christ: "The Church." We are only a small cog in the universal machine designed to make the workings of the institutional church run smoothly and with premium results. In turn, our own jurisdictional church is made up of many elements; we call them individual churches or Fellowships, Parishes, Dioceses, Archdiocese, National Regions, Global Divisions etc.
Taken collectively this makes up the IRCC. All of the cogs, even the smallest one are an absolute necessity if the jurisdictional organization as a whole is to function. While this may sound confusing or complicated, really it is not. All of these fine sounding organizational titles are nothing more than just groups of people, but very special groups of people, that have come together to worship and serve Almighty God. People that are trying to do that according the God's instructions, by God's own Laws, and in His will.
God is the Master of order and structure. Just look at His creation if you have any doubt. Look at the precision He has given to all things from greatest to smallest, from the simple blade of grass to the workings of the planetary movements of the universe. We in turn attempt to give some similar order to our organizational structure; many times we fail because of our humanness. But in our weakness God manifests His strength. He only asks that we sincerely try and be quick to admit our limitations and weakness and turn to Him. Within the IRCC we are attempting to create a structure that is dependent on God and willing to use His demonstrations of collectivity and order to build a religious structure here on earth that will be in some fashion pleasing to the Master.
I like to think of "The Church" as a living blooming flower. Many components work together to make a flower: the roots, stem, leaves and of course the blossom. Each of these has uncountable inner functions going on inside of them to make the flower exist. If you take away even the smallest component or disrupt the most seemingly insignificant process, the flower dies.
Unfortunately, as time has passed man in his egotism and self-centeredness has had a great influence in corrupting the simple arrangement of "church" that Jesus gave to us in holy simplicity. It is man (with a lot of help from Satan) that has created the fractions and factions within the church, each little self righteous segment screaming for its own way and thinking only of it's own benefit. In many cases those ways have nothing whatever to do with the Church Christ gave us.
Sometimes these deviations were honestly made. Man is human and prone to making errors in judgment, especially when he approaches the problems in the light of his own intellect and pathetic wisdom, stepping out of the light of God's truth and leadership, even just a little is enough to effect the whole. Yes, we "The Church" are guilty of this. Sometimes however, the errors have been intentional, made by those that proclaim to be of God, but who are in reality part of Satan's well devised Apostasy. We were forewarned long ago that this would happen, yet it seems to take most of us by surprise.
There are those upon this earth that would have you believe that their way is the only way; even when the obvious fact is that they are in direct violation of God's Law. They discount the other members of the Body, mingling truth with error and in many cases are successful in deceiving men. This too was prophesied.
The IRCC is not a perfect church. If this is your requirement, then you need to look elsewhere. We are men under the stain of original sin, proclaiming the cleansing blood of Christ, hungering for the truth of Almighty God, and seeking to serve Him in our worship and by our fellowship one with the other in His name.
We are also a missionary church, attempting to establish small fellowships and churches across the globe, bringing sincere aspirants into service of God in the Priesthood and other clerical positions. Churches are nothing more than families, groups of people that have decided to come together as the children of the Living God and live by His ways and His will.
I have been told that at first glance our structure appears to be confusing and grandiose. Trust me, it is not. We are a pack of sinners searching for God's forgiving grace in the best way we know how. If you fit that description, then this may be the right church for you.
The Independent Reformed Catholic Church is a valid and established Jurisdictional Network of sacramental, non-Roman Catholic churches embracing the fullness of Christianity. We are NOT part of the Roman Catholic Church, but our Bishops hold valid Apostolic Succession. We are neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant; our tradition evolved from the "Old Catholic" tradition and it is our purpose to achieve "early church" standards in the purity of our worship.
We are non-conventional in many aspects; one of these is the fact that we minister to the needs of the people on an individual basis. A church is a family, not an assembly line. Although we do operate some more conventional churches the majority of our congregations formed into Fellowships that consist of a smaller number of people than is expected in a conventional church setting. Some Fellowships even meet in private homes.
Some have called us an "Underground Church" because we are not interested in money and do not go along with government control of the Church.
The theology, liturgy and practices of the Independent Reformed Catholic Church are both ancient and Universally Catholic, we are established to maintain that ancient Faith and holiness of worship. Our ultimate purpose and goal is to share the truth of Christ and open the doors of the real church to seekers of truth.
We proclaim the truth and mystery of the Faith; Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ saves humankind through His death and resurrection.
We celebrate the seven Sacraments ( Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Ordination, Reconciliation and both factions of Holy Unction (Anointing of the Sick and Anointing of the Dying).
OUR INCLUSIVENESS
We welcome all people to worship with us, inviting all baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion
This church and the seat of Authority thereof, “The IRCC Archdiocese of the United States of America” is formed as a tax free non-profit religious entity under the “Free Church Law” as described under IRC 508(c)(1)(A) * according to *IRS Publication 557* <http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs We claim absolute tax free status, validity and protection under the Constitution of the United States, the US Bill of Rights as well as tax exemption as provided under IRC 508(c)(1)(A)
Archbishop Benjamin B. Driggers, OBB Archiepiscopal Primus Inter Pares Independent Reformed Catholic Church